Valentine's Weekend at the Beach

We had been wanting to spend a weekend at the beach since December and the stars finally aligned last weekend.Valentine's Day fell over President's Day weekend, Alan didn't have a race, and I had no primary responsibilities due to a regional stake conference.  We like to take advantage of the off-season for Darwin and Debbie's vacation rental in Lincoln City this time of year and they are always so generous to let us stay for free.

We left around bedtime on Friday night so Mason could sleep instead of cry in the car.  (He doesn't care much for driving.)  Once we arrived, it took us awhile to figure out that Mason doesn't like sharing a room with Spencer, but we all slept fine after that.

Saturday morning was breezy, but dry and Alan and I took turns running.  I hadn't run on the beach in years.  It was hard, but good - a really nice change from the treadmill and asphalt.  Something about the ocean always makes me very reflective.

After showers and lunch, we headed down to Newport to the OHSU Science Center.  It's free and has lots of cool displays for kids.  Mason was really excited about this red octopus and the fish in big aquariums.

Climbing up the displays.  I don't usually take many pictures on outings like this anymore because my hands are too busy trying to keep Mason safe.  ;)

Spencer LOVED the wave display and probably spent 30 minutes there. 

The only proof that I was actually there.  :)

It started raining as we left the Science Center and was really windy and wet by the time we picked up a pizza and headed back to the house.  We spent the rest of the evening watching TV and relaxing at the house.  It was a little challenging keeping the house safe from Mason.  Cabinet locks and latches keep me sane these days!

Sunday was Valentine's Day.  We watched the regional stake conference at the Lincoln City Church building.  It was too nasty out to do much else so we stayed at the house all the rest of the day.  Sundays aren't really "rest" days for me anymore, so it was lovely. 

We had crepe's with lemon cream cheese and triple berry sauce and heart-shaped frittatas for dinner.  Then we played a couple of Valentine's games. 

This was a minute-to-win-it candy obstacle course.  We all loved it!

And Don't Eat Pete!

I got to go on another beach run on Monday morning.  Alan decided he'd rather sleep in.  :)  We wanted to drive back home during Mason's nap just after lunch, so Alan took the boys to the beach while I cleaned the house.  It was the only time they got to go.  Look at this cutie though!  We have to go back when the weather is better.

We had a little extra time for hanging out after the house was all clean.  

Mason loved climbing up and then sliding down the stairs on his tummy.  We practiced a lot.  The stairs in our house are really steep and a lot more challenging (and scary!).

Alan and Spencer had to keep their Snack Attack tradition going so we stopped for ice cream cones on our way out of town.  It was so nice to leave all of our normal responsibilities behind for a few days and just enjoy being together.  Thank you Darwin and Debbie!  We're so blessed to live close to you and to live in this beautiful state!

Valentine's Photo Shoot

Much to Spencer's dismay, I made him put on JEANS and comb his hair for a Valentine's Photo shoot.  He still smiled despite the agony and I think they turned out pretty adorable.

Wet Winter Days

Most days are too wet to play outside though, so we have to come up with inside things to do.  Mason likes to go to the library every week.  We usually go to Baby Time first and then go check out books.  They have this cardboard spaceship in the children's section right now.  I'm not sure how long it will withstand all of the kids though.

 Alan took this picture of these two sillies in the hamper.

I saw this bread pan ukulele on Pinterest.  Spencer wanted one too, but the instruments didn't entertain either of them very long.

He still likes to climb into everything.

Today we went to a cool, local toy store.  We didn't buy anything, but Mason pushed this shopping cart all over the store and played for a good 45 minutes.

Dry Winter Days

Once in a while, we get a dry day in the winter.  One of the things I like most about the Northwest is the mild temperatures.  It rarely gets really cold.  Spencer and Mason have been loving playing in our front yard lately.  Mason usually carries around a toy golf club and gets into mischief while Spencer plays with some sort of ball.  It's especially fun when the neighbor kids come out to join us. 

Spencer wanted me to take a picture of this gorgeous sunrise while we were waiting for the bus one morning. 

You know you live in the Northwest when you can grow plants on your car!  Yikes!  Don't worry, I cleaned it out and now I just have a little moss along the edges of my windows.  :)

Food

Feeding Mason is definitely more challenging that feeding Spencer was.  Spencer would eat almost anything until he was about two.  Mason, not so much.  Breakfast and lunch are usually ok because he's usually eating by himself, but dinner is harder.  He usually wants to eat whatever the rest of us are eating and it has to look the same.  So, pizza can't be cut up anymore.

Sometimes, I can get him to eat better if I put his morning cereal in a "squeezy."  These re-usable pouches have been awesome for Mason!

Big boy cups are way more fun than sippy cups!

Sweet Tomatoes is the only restaurant we've braved with Mason.  There are lots of choices for him and the noisy, casual atmosphere fits our family well.

This is how the floor looks when Mason's done though!

Last Bball Game

Spencer's third basketball season ended near the end of January.  Debbie was so kind and offered to come to watch Mason so I could actually watch a game!  It's always fun to watch Spencer and how much he has improved in the last three years.  He loved having Alan as an assistant coach!

There was a small awards ceremony after the game.  Spencer's coach handed out trophies and talked a little about each kid.  He said that he wasn't sure he heard Spencer say a word the entire season, but that Spencer was always paying attention and doing what he was supposed to be doing.  That's Spencer alright!

It was a good season and we are now enjoying a wonderful break between sports!